Clare Daly
Ceist:31. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extra resources he has made available to enforce the new animal health and welfare legislation. [26100/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 19 June 2014
Ceisteanna (31)
Freagraí scríofa
Considerable resources are being devoted to enforcing the new Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 which brings together and modernises many existing laws in the area of animal health and welfare. My Department's network of regional offices throughout the country, together with the Animal Welfare helpline, are valuable resources and provide a reporting mechanism for any person concerned with an animal welfare issue. My Department also continues to provide considerable financial supports to both animal welfare organisations to assist their work in animal welfare activities and to local authorities to assist their work in dealing with abandoned horses. In this regard funding of €1.8m was provided to animal welfare organisations to support their activities in 2014 and funding of €3m was provided in 2013 to local authorities for their work in control of horses.
A feature of the new Act is that it provides for my Department to enter into service agreements with other bodies to act as authorised officers for the purposes of the Act. In this regard, service agreements have been agreed with the ISPCA, granting inspectors of that body greater powers to perform their current functions. The support of An Garda Síochána is crucial in enforcing the Act and my officials will continue the collaborative approach built up over many years with the Gardaí in ensuring compliance with animal health and welfare legislation. Codes of Practice are also a feature of the new act. These are designed to provide practical guidance relating to various parts of the act and will play an important role serving as guides to good welfare for those working with animals and reflecting best practice internationally.
In conclusion, the Animal Health and Welfare Act was a priority for me and I am confident that its enactment will facilitate a more effective implementation of animal health and welfare legislation. I am satisfied that adequate resources are being provided for this purpose.